With a rather high midfoot profile, the Blade-Light Run II provides plenty of protection and cushioning and does so without giving up much in weight or flexibility. Our testers said they liked it for recovery runs, when they weren’t too concerned about performance and when cushioning was especially desirable.

The 1.5 model name designates a subtle tweak to the Provision, rather than a full-on overhaul. The midsole and outsole remain mostly unchanged, though RW Shoe Lab tests found that the cushioning is softer than in the first version.

The Wave Rider keeps shedding astonishing amounts of weight. In only two years' time, it went from 11.2 ounces down to 9.5 ounces. Much of that weight savings comes by replacing overlays on the upper with lightweight films.

The lightweight, ever-so-smooth performance provided by Brooks’ sculpted sole was deemed race-ready and perfect for up to half marathons, or even full marathons for testers with low-volume, high-arched feet.

The T2 is another shoe that screams triathlete, with drainage ports to shed water. The name itself refers to the transition from the bike to the run portion of a tri. But it's a serviceable racing flat for most of us.